lennunduskütus

Lennunduskütus is an Estonian term that refers to the fuels used for powered flight. In practice the term covers the same family of aviation fuels found worldwide under titles such as avgas (aviation gasoline) and jet fuel. Aviation fuels are chemically designed for high energy density, low volatility in the case of jet fuel, and adherence to strict safety and performance standards set by national and international aviation authorities.

For piston‑engine aircraft the most common type of lennunduskütus is 100 LL avgas, which contains tetraethyl lead as a spark‑ignition enhancer. Lead content has been reduced in many countries, and some manufacturers now produce unleaded alternatives that meet the same performance specifications. Fuel is tested for fuel quality indices including octane rating, sulfur content, and water separation. Fuel handling requires dedicated storage tanks, vapour‑isolation systems, and spill‑containment measures.

Jet engines operate on kerosene‑derived fuels, primarily Jet A for civil aviation and Jet A‑1, which has a lower freezing point, for international use. Military aircraft may use more specialised fuels such as JP‑8 or JP‑5, which are designed to resist contamination, minimise gel formation, and provide additional fire‑extinguishing properties. Jet fuels are rated by energy density, flash point, and distillation range, and they are subject to ASTM and Europarl specifications.

The use of lennunduskütus involves extensive safety protocols. Fuel vapours are toxic, flammable, and require adequate ventilation. Regulations govern fueling load limits, temperature controls, and maintenance of fuel system integrity. Environmental considerations prompt research into bio‑fuels, synthetic fuels, and electricity‑powered aircraft. In the Estonian aviation sector, local fuel suppliers provide these fuels to general aviation clubs, flight schools, and commercial operators, ensuring compliance with EU and ICAO standards.